Fill/redrill/tap baseplate holes -- JB Weld doesn't work

[Zhangliqun]

So the usual sources of 50mm short leg humbucker baseplates dried up as they often do when I need them most. I ordered some from Ebay from China (oops). The mount screw holes are slightly larger than 3/48 which I didn't discover until I had made a set of pickups with them. I hit the roof.

So I get the idea of JB Weld to the rescue. I mixed, filled per instructions, let it cure and dry for OVER 24 hours at room temp. Drilled it out today and it all just fell out like sawdust. Sawdust, mud or Playdough would have worked better.

What would actually work to retrieve this situation? Isn't JB Weld supposed to be redrillable/tappable? If not, then what is?

[nosaj]

Honestly if you must use those , get you some different screws. Nothing is going to work well except new screws.
nosaj

[Jazz P Bass]

Maybe a helicoil insert?
https://www.threadtoolsupply.com/3-4...epair-kit.html

[nosaj]

Maybe a helicoil insert?
https://www.threadtoolsupply.com/3-4...epair-kit.html

Be alot cheaper just to get the right screws , when you add up time, labor, shipping, etc
nosaj

[J M Fahey]

JB Weld to the rescue. I mixed, filled per instructions, let it cure and dry for OVER 24 hours at room temp. Drilled it out today and it all just fell out like sawdust

Then you did something VERY wrong.

Isn't JB Weld supposed to be redrillable/tappable?

Yes, it is.
Again, something very wrong, specially the sawdust bit.

Please show pictures of tht or it didn´t happen.

In any case, nosaj is realistic, use the screws matching existing holes and threads.

And that millenia old Imperial system must die (it actually comes from the Romans, go figure).
I bet chinese sent you the closest metric size.

[Helmholtz]

I've seen many aftermarket HBs and a number of expensive "boutique" PUs that use baseplates having larger holes than the screw diameter.
With a typical PAF type HB, there is no (mechanical) need for the polescrews to be held by the basesplate as they already thread into the bobbins.

[max oersted]

These cost more than the usual distribution points but perhaps a dozen will get you by in the short-term: https://www.amplifiedparts.com/produ...-universal-usa

[jack briggs]

[copperheadroads]

They are usually same thread as these
https://www.mojotone.com/guitar-part...-Screws-Nickel

[Zhangliqun]

Then you did something VERY wrong.

Yes, it is.
Again, something very wrong, specially the sawdust bit.

Please show pictures of tht or it didn´t happen.

In any case, nosaj is realistic, use the screws matching existing holes and threads.

And that millenia old Imperial system must die (it actually comes from the Romans, go figure).
I bet chinese sent you the closest metric size.

Mix it half and half. Fill hole. Wait 15-24 hours to cure. Instructions followed verbatim so what did I do wrong? If you're coming at me like this, it sounds like I could show pictures but you'd say it still didn't happen, I must have used photoshop.

Also, some of you seem to be confused and think I'm talking about pole screw holes. No, the holes in the legs that mount the humbucker to ring/pickguard/body.

I could use different screws, I have some that match, but they are too thick in many cases to go through the holes in the pickup ring or pickguard and customers don't like that.

And finally, I say get rid of metric. This is the first time I've run into this problem on a baseplate, and I've had plenty from outside the US. You can't make me like soccer either.

[nosaj]

Mix it half and half. Fill hole. Wait 15-24 hours to cure. Instructions followed verbatim so what did I do wrong? If you're coming at me like this, it sounds like I could show pictures but you'd say it still didn't happen, I must have used photoshop.

Also, some of you seem to be confused and think I'm talking about pole screw holes. No, the holes in the legs that mount the humbucker to ring/pickguard/body.

And finally, I say get rid of metric. This is the first time I've run into this problem on a baseplate, and I've had plenty from outside the US. You can't make me like soccer either.

Ok a picture is worth a thousand words lets see what your talking about then.
nosaj

[Helmholtz]

Also, some of you seem to be confused and think I'm talking about pole screw holes. No, the holes in the legs that mount the humbucker to ring/pickguard/body.

Sorry, obviously I misunderstood, didn't read carefully.

[Magnut]

I have a bunch of baseplates, 50mm, nickel silver, short legs. Covers too! I am not making pickups any longer and would like to sell off what I have. Will let them go for cost! PM if interested. Include wish list if you have several items needed. -Ken

[Antigua]

So the usual sources of 50mm short leg humbucker baseplates dried up as they often do when I need them most. I ordered some from Ebay from China (oops). The mount screw holes are slightly larger than 3/48 which I didn't discover until I had made a set of pickups with them. I hit the roof.

So I get the idea of JB Weld to the rescue. I mixed, filled per instructions, let it cure and dry for OVER 24 hours at room temp. Drilled it out today and it all just fell out like sawdust. Sawdust, mud or Playdough would have worked better.

What would actually work to retrieve this situation? Isn't JB Weld supposed to be redrillable/tappable? If not, then what is?

JB Weld has a bunch of epoxies and other products, it might be that you used a bonding product instead of a filling product. I just made that same mistake recently. The filling epoxy I ended up buying was for outdoor use, so I can't recommend it be used in this case. In any event, look for evidence that the product in question cures to a solid, and not like a rubber-like mass.

Another fix, not as permanent, is to just jam something fibrous (wood, string, wire, paper) into the screw holes, and then the screws will wedge in with the fibers.

Another fix, I've actually done, is went to the hardware store and bough very similar screws that come with same-sized nuts provided, and rather than screw into the leg directly, you screw into the nut, under the leg. If you could find the right sized nut for the screw you want to use, the JB Weld you have on hand could be used to bond the nut to the leg.

[nosaj]

All of these suggestions sound great for personal stuff, but for sale to a customer...do you want them to see a bodied up job? Its only your reputation.
nosaj